Rejji Kuruvilla
@rkuruvi1.bsky.social
Neurobiologist, Professor, fond of reading, cats, thrillers, and food
Pinned
Rejji Kuruvilla
@rkuruvi1.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Hello there! My lab studies the sympathetic nervous system and its interactions with body organs and tissues. I post about my science, academia, food, cats, travel, my experience as an immigrant scientist and politics (occasionally). Check out our lab website www.kuruvillalab.com
It is a good night for democracy…
November 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
It is a good night for democracy…
Submitted two NIH grants this month-floated off like messages in the bottle in the ocean. No idea if anyone would read them one day….
November 1, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Submitted two NIH grants this month-floated off like messages in the bottle in the ocean. No idea if anyone would read them one day….
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
After 13 years in the US, I’ve made the difficult decision to leave. Having packed up everything and rethought about priorities, rather painstakingly, while I’m sad to leave the life I’ve made here, I’m also relieved that I won’t have to plan my life around immigration policies anymore.
October 31, 2025 at 4:08 AM
After 13 years in the US, I’ve made the difficult decision to leave. Having packed up everything and rethought about priorities, rather painstakingly, while I’m sad to leave the life I’ve made here, I’m also relieved that I won’t have to plan my life around immigration policies anymore.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Someone asked me the other day*:
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
October 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Someone asked me the other day*:
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Funders must recognise that great discoveries often come from studies that seeks to advance knowledge for its own sake
go.nature.com/47zrzYZ
go.nature.com/47zrzYZ
From MRI to Ozempic: breakthroughs that show why fundamental research must be protected
In these financially straitened times, funders must recognize that great discoveries often arise from work that was looking for something completely different.
go.nature.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Funders must recognise that great discoveries often come from studies that seeks to advance knowledge for its own sake
go.nature.com/47zrzYZ
go.nature.com/47zrzYZ
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Today is many federal workers first full paycheck they’ve missed for this shutdown.
They have bills. Rent, mortgages, kids tuition, food, credit card payments, car payments, grocery bills…
All because the Republicans don’t want people to have affordable healthcare.
They have bills. Rent, mortgages, kids tuition, food, credit card payments, car payments, grocery bills…
All because the Republicans don’t want people to have affordable healthcare.
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. n.pr/4ngKyx3
It's supposed to be payday for many federal workers. Instead, they're getting nothing
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay.
n.pr
October 24, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Today is many federal workers first full paycheck they’ve missed for this shutdown.
They have bills. Rent, mortgages, kids tuition, food, credit card payments, car payments, grocery bills…
All because the Republicans don’t want people to have affordable healthcare.
They have bills. Rent, mortgages, kids tuition, food, credit card payments, car payments, grocery bills…
All because the Republicans don’t want people to have affordable healthcare.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
A university that signs the “compact” is one that acknowledges its own inability to compete and succeed based talent and merit. It would signal insecurity and mediocrity to current and future students and faculty. Say no. Recruit the best people, protect their freedom and support their hard work.
October 18, 2025 at 12:05 AM
A university that signs the “compact” is one that acknowledges its own inability to compete and succeed based talent and merit. It would signal insecurity and mediocrity to current and future students and faculty. Say no. Recruit the best people, protect their freedom and support their hard work.
Wins for the week-submitting a grant application and a revised manuscript. Bottom line-focusing on what I can control.
October 14, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Wins for the week-submitting a grant application and a revised manuscript. Bottom line-focusing on what I can control.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
The official website of the Nobel Prize - NobelPrize.org
The Nobel Prize rewards science, humanism and peace efforts. This is one of the central concepts in the will of Alfred Nobel, and it also permeates the outreach activities that have been developed for...
www.nobelprize.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Intriguing new insights on axonal TDP-43 in ALS from @labperlson.bsky.social and colleagues
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Muscle-derived miR-126 regulates TDP-43 axonal local synthesis and NMJ integrity in ALS models - Nature Neuroscience
Ionescu, Ankol et al. show that, in ALS mouse and iPSC models, TDP-43 aggregation at NMJs stems from aberrant axonal translation, normally repressed by muscle EV-derived miR126. Loss of miR126 in ALS increases TDP-43 buildup, impairs local synthesis and triggers degeneration.
www.nature.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Intriguing new insights on axonal TDP-43 in ALS from @labperlson.bsky.social and colleagues
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Cool pre-print and valuable resource highlighting the molecular and cellular diversity of human sympathetic ganglia and DRG cell types
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A multi-omic atlas of human autonomic and sensory ganglia implicates cell types in peripheral neuropathies
The human peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of many ganglia, including sympathetic ganglia (SG) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG), that house the cell bodies of many constituent neuron types and no...
www.biorxiv.org
September 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Cool pre-print and valuable resource highlighting the molecular and cellular diversity of human sympathetic ganglia and DRG cell types
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
For this #FluorescenceFriday, a gorgeous image of an adult mouse kidney labeled with AQP2 and alpha SMA antibodies. AQP2 (green) marks the collecting duct and distal connecting segment while SMA marks the arterial tree. Courtesy of talented postdoc Sarah McLarnon.
September 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
For this #FluorescenceFriday, a gorgeous image of an adult mouse kidney labeled with AQP2 and alpha SMA antibodies. AQP2 (green) marks the collecting duct and distal connecting segment while SMA marks the arterial tree. Courtesy of talented postdoc Sarah McLarnon.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
This paper does a great job with a "It's a Wonderful Life" scenario about NIH, supposing the consequences of the bottom 40% of the funding NIH grants never existed.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
tl:dr The world would lose a lot, but directly and indirectly
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
tl:dr The world would lose a lot, but directly and indirectly
What if NIH had been 40% smaller?
Replaying history with less NIH funding shows widespread impacts on drug-linked research
www.science.org
September 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
This paper does a great job with a "It's a Wonderful Life" scenario about NIH, supposing the consequences of the bottom 40% of the funding NIH grants never existed.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
tl:dr The world would lose a lot, but directly and indirectly
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
tl:dr The world would lose a lot, but directly and indirectly
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Any academic folks on H1B visas (even with stamps in passports) please get legal advice from your University attorneys before leaving the US.
September 20, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Any academic folks on H1B visas (even with stamps in passports) please get legal advice from your University attorneys before leaving the US.
Arundhati Roy’s intense memoir of her mother “Mother Mary comes to me” is a brutal read, yet funny and poignant. Rekindled my love of reading and brought on all the emotions of complicated mother-daughter relationships, orthodoxy of Kerala Syrian Christians, and not conforming to societal norms.
September 8, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Arundhati Roy’s intense memoir of her mother “Mother Mary comes to me” is a brutal read, yet funny and poignant. Rekindled my love of reading and brought on all the emotions of complicated mother-daughter relationships, orthodoxy of Kerala Syrian Christians, and not conforming to societal norms.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
It bears repeating that nearly the entire US enterprise in science and technology has been irreversibly gutted. This is shocking.
All this loss has occurred without any real benefit to the average US citizen. Except we now have the biggest, best funded secret police force perhaps ever.
Yay for us!
All this loss has occurred without any real benefit to the average US citizen. Except we now have the biggest, best funded secret police force perhaps ever.
Yay for us!
August 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It bears repeating that nearly the entire US enterprise in science and technology has been irreversibly gutted. This is shocking.
All this loss has occurred without any real benefit to the average US citizen. Except we now have the biggest, best funded secret police force perhaps ever.
Yay for us!
All this loss has occurred without any real benefit to the average US citizen. Except we now have the biggest, best funded secret police force perhaps ever.
Yay for us!
Wistfully thinking about the days when incompetent Reviewer 3 was the biggest problem…
August 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Wistfully thinking about the days when incompetent Reviewer 3 was the biggest problem…
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
The GOP needs to understand the economic impact of the cuts from the Trump administration. Higher education drives economies.
“If you include the hospital systems, [our impact] is well over $60 billion, and it's 7% of our whole economy — literally more than coal and natural gas combined.”
“If you include the hospital systems, [our impact] is well over $60 billion, and it's 7% of our whole economy — literally more than coal and natural gas combined.”
A new report says colleges in the Pittsburgh area contribute billions to economy
A new report says colleges in the Pittsburgh area contribute billions to economy
Pittsburgh’s independent colleges contribute more than $5 billion to the state’s economy annually, a new report has found.
The report, published...
www.post-gazette.com
August 15, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The GOP needs to understand the economic impact of the cuts from the Trump administration. Higher education drives economies.
“If you include the hospital systems, [our impact] is well over $60 billion, and it's 7% of our whole economy — literally more than coal and natural gas combined.”
“If you include the hospital systems, [our impact] is well over $60 billion, and it's 7% of our whole economy — literally more than coal and natural gas combined.”
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Science is a long game.
Translational science, or clinical medicine is only possibly because of basic science discoveries where the clinical applications are not yet known.
Also: Nobels are typically awarded for basic science… *exploratory* basic science.
True story.
Translational science, or clinical medicine is only possibly because of basic science discoveries where the clinical applications are not yet known.
Also: Nobels are typically awarded for basic science… *exploratory* basic science.
True story.
Over 20 years after Julius’s lab and mine cloned TRPM8, it is rewarding to see this science helping patients. The TRPM8 agonist Tryptyr treats dry eye by increasing tear production. A reminder that NIH-funded curiosity-driven research translates to medicines.
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003% eye drops | Alcon US
TRYPTYR is a prescription eye drop used for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. See prescribing information, how to save, and more.
tryptyr.myalcon.com
August 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Science is a long game.
Translational science, or clinical medicine is only possibly because of basic science discoveries where the clinical applications are not yet known.
Also: Nobels are typically awarded for basic science… *exploratory* basic science.
True story.
Translational science, or clinical medicine is only possibly because of basic science discoveries where the clinical applications are not yet known.
Also: Nobels are typically awarded for basic science… *exploratory* basic science.
True story.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Over 20 years after Julius’s lab and mine cloned TRPM8, it is rewarding to see this science helping patients. The TRPM8 agonist Tryptyr treats dry eye by increasing tear production. A reminder that NIH-funded curiosity-driven research translates to medicines.
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003% eye drops | Alcon US
TRYPTYR is a prescription eye drop used for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. See prescribing information, how to save, and more.
tryptyr.myalcon.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Over 20 years after Julius’s lab and mine cloned TRPM8, it is rewarding to see this science helping patients. The TRPM8 agonist Tryptyr treats dry eye by increasing tear production. A reminder that NIH-funded curiosity-driven research translates to medicines.
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
From a trip to PNW and being reminded how beautiful this country is. My childhood was spent in a crowded and polluted city (much as I loved it). But the majestic splendor of the natural beauty in the US will never cease to amaze me. Hope we can sustain the national parks.
August 7, 2025 at 2:42 AM
From a trip to PNW and being reminded how beautiful this country is. My childhood was spent in a crowded and polluted city (much as I loved it). But the majestic splendor of the natural beauty in the US will never cease to amaze me. Hope we can sustain the national parks.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
Senate Appropriations has a modest *INCREASE* in NIH funding but it will need to be recconciled with the house cut. If you have not been calling your representative of late now would be a good time to start again
www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/ful...
www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/ful...
Full Committee Markup of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Acts | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
www.appropriations.senate.gov
July 31, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Senate Appropriations has a modest *INCREASE* in NIH funding but it will need to be recconciled with the house cut. If you have not been calling your representative of late now would be a good time to start again
www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/ful...
www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/ful...
Yup this.. paylines below 5% are demoralizing not only for applicants but also reviewers. Good luck, NIH, finding reviewers to take on this task..
4% payline demoralizing for reviewers - review 9 grants each taking 3-4hrs (total reviewed by all is 90) flying to DC, a hotel conference room to discuss the top half of grants (45) 15 min each, 3x a year for 4 yrs. Paid $300. 4% = maybe 3/90, 0-1 that you reviewed funded. I couldn’t.
July 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Yup this.. paylines below 5% are demoralizing not only for applicants but also reviewers. Good luck, NIH, finding reviewers to take on this task..
Finding comfort in little things these days. Working with a good group of people, discussing science, sharing ideas. Trying to tune the noise and chaos out in moments like this. Lab lunch.
July 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Finding comfort in little things these days. Working with a good group of people, discussing science, sharing ideas. Trying to tune the noise and chaos out in moments like this. Lab lunch.
Reposted by Rejji Kuruvilla
I don’t know how to say it more strongly: it is asinine to think that AI and basic/exploratory, creative science are at all similar, never mind interchangeable.
There are many details one could get into on this, but the important takeaway is the above. 🧪
There are many details one could get into on this, but the important takeaway is the above. 🧪
1. From the FDA to the NSF’s new priorities to Chan-Zuckerberg’s recent pivot, there’s a massive push — particularly on they political right — to hand off as much of the scientific process as possible to AI.
It’s not about competing with China in AI. Not while gutting the US research ecosystem.
It’s not about competing with China in AI. Not while gutting the US research ecosystem.
July 24, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I don’t know how to say it more strongly: it is asinine to think that AI and basic/exploratory, creative science are at all similar, never mind interchangeable.
There are many details one could get into on this, but the important takeaway is the above. 🧪
There are many details one could get into on this, but the important takeaway is the above. 🧪